We’re seven weeks into the television season and at the
beginning of November sweeps. So it’s as good a time as any to see how things
are shaking out thus far.
Here’s a rundown of significant broadcast TV developments,
including the fall’s winners and losers:
Biggest Flop: NBC’s
bold experiment to bring “The Jay Leno Show” to prime time has a been
a disaster on three fronts: 1. Leno is getting pummeled in the ratings; 2.
Conan O’Brien is sputtering in Leno’s old time slot; and 3. The NBC brand has
been greatly tarnished. Meanwhile, Leno’s former nemesis, David Letterman, is
enjoying robust ratings, despite (or because of) his messy blackmail scandal.
We Didn’t See This Coming: Defying TV convention, Mark Harmon’s military crime procedural,
“NCIS,” has become prime time’s No. 1 show in its seventh season.
Ratings are up 22 percent over last fall, according to Nielsen. The power of
“NCIS” has also fueled two new CBS shows that air behind it — the
spin-off “NCIS: Los Angeles” and Julianna Margulies’ legal drama,
“The Good Wife.”
Best Comeback: After
languishing for two dreary seasons in “Dirt,” Courteney Cox has
renewed her friendship with viewers. She shines as a hilarious and endearing
man-starved mom in ABC’s “Cougar Town.”
Biggest Scene-Stealer:
She doesn’t have a very big role on “Cougar Town,” but Carolyn
Hennesy gets some of the biggest laughs. As Barb, she shamelessly prowls the
bars in search of younger men, making us crack up — and blush — along the way.
Lost Mojo: Unlike
Cox, former “Frasier” star Kelsey Grammer is struggling to duplicate
past sitcom glory. After sputtering in Fox’s “Back to You” last
season, his new show, “Hank,” is the lone clunker in ABC’s Wednesday
night lineup.
The Laughs Are Back:
Prime time’s comedy drought appears to be over. The sitcom is enjoying a
creative comeback. In addition to “Cougar Town,” NBC’s
“Community” is striking comedic gold, if not golden ratings. But the
standout so far is ABC’s “Modern Family.” With its “mockumentary”
approach and sharply drawn characters, it has brought plenty of fresh energy to
the domestic comedy.
Hitting The High Notes:
Honors for the most entertaining hour of the season go to Fox’s melodic high
school musical, “Glee.” What other show gives you peppy production
numbers, dancing football players and multiple love triangles? No wonder we’re
singing its praises. (Just dump the fake-pregnancy story line, please.)
Biggest Breakout Star:
All the sugary sweetness in “Glee” needs to be undercut with a healthy
dose of snark. Enter Jane Lynch, who plays diabolical cheerleading coach Sue
Sylvester to malicious perfection.
Biggest Payoff: For
five seasons, we’ve watched the romance bloom between Jim and Pam on “The
Office.” Their big Niagara Falls wedding could have been a huge letdown.
Instead, it was an incredibly funny, touching and memorable piece of television
that left us all soggy-eyed.
Most Rejuvenated Show:
After a shaky start, The CW’s “90210” glammed up its young stars,
sent little Annie (Shenae Grimes) to a dark place and gave its storylines more
edge. Now, behold one of prime time’s most delicious guilty pleasures.
Do Not Resuscitate:
The search for the next “ER” continues. NBC has already pulled the
plug on “Trauma,” about San Francisco-based paramedics. Meanwhile,
another medical series, “Three Rivers” (CBS), appears to be
flat-lining. NBC has given a full-season order to “Mercy,” but the
nursing drama is by no means a Nielsen powerhouse.
The Ugly Truth:
“The Beautiful Life,” Ashton Kutcher’s drama about the modeling
world, earned the shameful distinction of being the first show to go. The CW
axed it after only two episodes.
High Expectations: The
CW hopes that, beginning Nov. 17, Heather Locker can boost the lackluster
ratings of its “Melrose Place” remake. If she can’t, look for those
tony L.A. apartments to soon go dark.
Via McClatchy-Tribune News Service.
